Rigid forks

jds_1981

Knackered my 26" HT Frame a bit so it is being retired. Thinking about building it up in to a bit of a beater bike.
Would still like to be able to take it off road so would like some decent forks that would take a bit of a beating, but don't want to spend too much.
Any suggestions? I've looked online and on eBay but not really seeing much.
The frame is a on one 456 so need something for that sort of geometry.
Thanks

The Rookie

Mosso forks are superlight (not sure how that gells with the boat anchor 456 frame) and quite flexy (which is comfy) but you wouldn't want to ride them hard on technical off road for that reason.

On-one steel or carbon would be my next options (based on budget).

jds_1981

Thanks,

I had looked at the on one forks

This http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOOOCR26DO/ ... -disc-only
Which is a little above the budget I'd hoped says axle to crown 440mm. Which having had a quick read I think is a little low for the 4-6 inch suspension recommended for the 456.
If I went for this even more expensive http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOMK35CF/mk ... n-mtb-fork
The 29"er has axle to crown of 490mm which might be better?
Is this a reasonable conclusion?

Giraffoto

Their monocoque carbon fork is as near to indestructible as you could want. You'll need a straight steerer though. The CrMo fork is indestructible, and despite being a big ol' chunk of iron, is still lightere than most suspension forks.

thistle_

jds_1981 wrote:

This http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOOOCR26DO/ ... -disc-only
Which is a little above the budget I'd hoped says axle to crown 440mm. Which having had a quick read I think is a little low for the 4-6 inch suspension recommended for the 456.
If I went for this even more expensive http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOMK35CF/mk ... n-mtb-fork
The 29"er has axle to crown of 490mm which might be better?
Is this a reasonable conclusion?

If you're happy with your current riding position, just measure what the axle to crown is now (take off an inch or so for sag) and get one that's the same.

I got some used Kona P2s off eBay for making my old MTB into a pub/commuter bike. They're fine for the odd off road excursion.

The Rookie

A 100mm travel 26" fork has a typical A2C of circa 475mm, or 450mm sagged, the 440mm for a rigid will be fine, 490mm would be too long.

jds_1981

The Rookie wrote:

A 100mm travel 26" fork has a typical A2C of circa 475mm, or 450mm sagged, the 440mm for a rigid will be fine, 490mm would be too long.

Checked my forks, about 48.5 a2c, 47 sagged. I'm tempted to go an extra couple of cms up as I don't think it would detract. Might I be making a terrible mistake?
Although price would dictate the shorter ones so will need to think.
Edit, mine are rlt, so 493 a2c unsagged

https://www.sram.com/rockshox/products/reba-rl

The Rookie

So you aren't running enough sag......

Seriously 440 is common on 100mm frames and works just fine, you don't need the same stability with rigid forks as suspension as you won't be plowing through stuff the same way, plus at full bump your forks are circa 38.5 and you happy with that!

jds_1981

The Rookie wrote:

So you aren't running enough sag......

Seriously 440 is common on 100mm frames and works just fine, you don't need the same stability with rigid forks as suspension as you won't be plowing through stuff the same way, plus at full bump your forks are circa 38.5 and you happy with that!

Thanks,

Was thinking about it cycling in today and realised I'd measured sag while sat upright, not in 'attack' position which obviously makes quite a bit of difference, as well as what you've mentioned with the forks being at various lengths depending on what they're currently dealing with.

I'll go with the shorter cheaper ones

N0bodyOfTheGoat

As a leftfield suggestion, wait until the price improves (it has been as low as £89 this year), then buy a 470mm A2C Carbon Fatty fork (is your headset is setup for a straight steerer)?
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FOOOCFAT/o ... fatty-fork

Plus a bung (have been £5) http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FSPXFCENT/ ... fatty-fork)

Plus a Fatty front wheel (has been £34) http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/WFOOFAT/on- ... ront-wheel

Then choose a fat tyre that suits your needs, not much choice at PX, few more options at http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/search.aspx?search=26%20FAT

jds_1981

NitrousOxide wrote:

As a leftfield suggestion, wait until the price improves (it has been as low as £89 this year), then buy a 470mm A2C Carbon Fatty fork (is your headset is setup for a straight steerer)?
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FOOOCFAT/o ... fatty-fork

Plus a bung (have been £5) http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FSPXFCENT/ ... fatty-fork)

Plus a Fatty front wheel (has been £34) http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/WFOOFAT/on- ... ront-wheel

Then choose a fat tyre that suits your needs, not much choice at PX, few more options at http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/search.aspx?search=26%20FAT

I quite like this idea too,
Has been considering how large a tyre is be able to fit in and a far tyre would turn it into a proper chimera.

I'm not in any real hurry to get this bike sorted, so happy to delat purchases of components and eBay.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

The fatty front end bit are in the latest sale that started today, fork £89; bung £8; front wheel £55.